" MIRROR JESUS "

As you look in the mirror
Who do you see?
Do you see the person
You really want to be?

Do you see imperfections?
Do you stare and wonder?
Do you run and hide
Because of your blunder?

Take time and step back
To ponder the matters of the soul.
Find the time to self-examine
Before life without God takes its' toll.

There is a life beyond ourselves we know
We are not the end-all and be-all
When we call out to the Lord in prayer
We need be aware that He does SEE all.

Not a prayer we pray is unheard,
Not a moan, cry or thought absurd.
The Lord, God, is our staff and shield.
With our Baptism we are sealed,
And by His stripes we are healed.

Do we mirror Jesus?
Are we pleased with what we see?
Do we see the person
Jesus wants us to be?

Do we mirror Jesus?
In thought, in word, in deed?
When others watch and see us
Can we fill their need?

As you look in the mirror
Who do you see?
Do you see the person
You really want to be?

© Mel Patterson, 9-23-06

In Memorium of the Events of 9-11-01

Who cannot remember ?
Who cannot pause
For a moment of prayer
United in one cause
~ Because ~
We care on 9-11-01's ~ 5th Anniversary !

Heavenly Father, Almighty God,

You know the wherefores and the whys;

You have heard those thousands of cries

As the Twin Towers tumbled,

And human bodies crumbled,

As Washington and Pennsylvania

Suffered also terrorist mania.

You met them where they were

While Your Love in their hearts did spur

Some to become heros to the end ~

They knew You were their Best Friend.

Their Faith did not bend.

Their reward, Your Gift to them,

Paradise, a Treasure, and Precious Gem.

Bless with healing those who remain

Be their refuge; keep them sane.

Bless them with Peace of minds

And with Graces of all kinds.

Comfort them with the thought

They all are Blood-bought.

May their souls aspire higher

'Til You meet them,

Greet them,

and

Seat them

At the Grand Banquet of The Lamb.

© Mel Patterson, 9-11-06

" YOU LED ME "

The mantle you wore was red;
Your gown was white as snow.
Not a word by you was said
But I knew exactly where to go.

You sped me along the path,
Each step faster than the next;
You showed no sign of wrath ~
Not once did I feel perplexed.

I was swept up in your Light,
Fully trusting in your Plan;
Even tho' I had not the foresight
I had the faith and, with it, I ran.

You made the way clear
Where there seemed to be none.
There was no thought of fear,
Not with you, God's Son.

I followed you as you led me
Along the avenues of life;
As I journey on I now see
I grew in trial and strife.

Hold me, mold me, enfold me;
Do with me what you will.
Shake me, break me, take me.
My whole being, Lord, please fill
With you and your Love
~ That I may mirror you ~
~ In all I say and do ~
~ Make me new ~
~ Like you ~

© Mel Patterson, 9-6-06

" O, Restless Heart "

O, restless heart, battered and worn,
Weary, fatigued, saddened and torn,
Searching for release, respite and relief
From the rigors of life and its' grief
Satan steals hope like a thief.
But alas,
Here comes Jesus,
He opens his heart and invites us in,
Loving us and forgiving our sin,
Placing hope where there once was none,
He is the Messiah, the Holy One.

Keep our sights on Jesus, our Savior;
Upon his tender mercies savor,
Thank him and praise him all day long
For it is to him only our souls belong.

How often do we awaken in the middle of the night
Scared out of our wits and tremble in fright?
Did we hear something that sounded an alarm
Or did we dream someone would cause us harm?

Arise with a prayer and retire at night with one, too
And if you awaken in the night whisper "Jesus, I love you."
The night terrors will soon abate and flee
When we remember to put God first - for that's the Key.

God is First; place all else in its' proper place.
Let's pray to the Lord for the gift of his grace.
So, when we awaken in the night, we can pray
And thank God for the ability to say,
Be our Guest, O Lord, Savior True
We rest our hearts always in you.

© Mel Patterson, 9-3-06


"Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee."

St. Augustine

" RAPT "

Rapt in the splendor of your love
My soul rejoices and soars like a dove;
You have given my heart wings
With joy my very spirit sings.

~ You are God, my Father ~
~ You are Jesus, my Brother ~
~ You are Spirit, my Advisor ~
~ You are Three in One,
Holy Trinity,
In Affinity
For Infinity ~
No beginning, no ending,
Ever transcending,
Always ascending,
~ You give my soul flight ~
~ You are my delight,
Morning 'til night
O Glorious Light.

Rapture sublime,
Forever Divine,
I am rapt in
the splendor of
Your Love.

© Mel Patterson, 8-27-06

"JOY of my SOUL"

Joy of my soul, Joy of my heart,
You've given me love from the very start;
In you I live, I move and I breathe ~
To you my whole being does cleave.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my spirit,
Of goodness ~ may I be drawn near it
And to all that is holy, right and true,
May I ever be totally committed to you.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my life,
You are the Rock during all the strife.
Many are the benefits you freely give;
Because of you, I have the will to live.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my heart,
Let's assure one another, we'll never part.
You are my Lord, my God, my All;
I obey your statutes, I love your Law.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my spirit
Absence from you, I surely would fear it.
Never permit me to ever stray
Protect me ever and always, I pray.

Joy of my soul, Joy of my life,
Sin pierces your heart ~ like a knife.
You are The Lord of Lords and The King of Kings,
O the JOY your Salvation brings.

The battle for good and evil still wages,
But You, O Lord, are JOY for all ages.
Judgement day will soon arrive;
The goats'll die and the sheep'll thrive.
Please God ~ your faithful ones'll be alive.

O Jesus, as Groom, you'll come for your Bride
You'll draw her very close to your side
Embrace her with your arms open wide
And together in Heaven forever abide.

You, O Lord, are JOY for all ages.
JOY, JOY, JOY !
YOU are JOY for All Ages !!!

© Mel Patterson , 8-20-06

" THE KING is COMING "

O JOY of heart, JOY of spirit
The pealing of Church bells,
Do you hear it?

The King is coming, He's on His Way,
Listen to the rumble of sound !
Hear the thunder of justice !
The King of Glory is coming!

The clouds part and
The Lord, God appears
Amid Saints and Angel cheers!

Upon this awesome day we will hear Him say,
"Come, you who have served me well,
With me forever you will dwell,
While you who are locked in sin,
Shall enter into the pits of hell!"

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare !
Let no one be caught unaware !
While we have the chance to join that heavenly dance
Be aware, beware and prepare !

Let's pray souls receive Salvation,
And all God's children band in jubilation,
That with JOY of heart, JOY of spirit
We shall all hear
and cheer:

The King is coming, He's on His Way !

The King is coming, He's on His Way !!

The King is coming, He's on His Way !!!

© Mel Patterson, 8-1-06

" Lord, help my brother and sister today "

Praying for one another,
For our sister and our brother
Is pleasing to Our Blessed Lord
As we band together in one accord.

Each situation may be rough;
We pray enough strength to be tough,
With courage to face another day
Let's lift one another as we pray:

Lord, help my brother and sister today.

No matter how often we are asked to pray
Give us the compassion of Jesus this day.
Help us to emulate you, O Lord, please
So we turn not a deaf ear but fall to our knees.

In prayerful petition we pray for our friend
Not counting the cost even to the end
For it is in service to You we lift one another up
Til the saucer fills from the overflowing cup.

Lord, help my brother and sister today.
Lord, help my brother and sister today.
Lord, help my brother and sister today.

© Mel Patterson, 7-31-06

" THE WEDDING "

In a dream state I was late ~
for a Wedding;
Fumblingly~
my old clothes I was shedding.
Obstacles in my way
holding me sway
As I tried to wade through
all of the ado
I thought of the Minister, and the Groom
Waiting for me to arrive soon.

It all seemed like slow motion
My mind was full of commotion.
I was getting nowhere fast or slow,
Did not know if I should stay home or go.
I decided to go no matter how long it took;
I arrived as the Word was read from the Book.

A lesson I understand from the content of the dream
Was to live God's Law and avoid the desire to scheme.
Manipulation is wrong at best,
Pure intent the better quest.
A Banquet is waiting for the chosen
Who awaken from all the dozin'
Time for us to shape UP, I'm supposin'
Stoke up the fire in hearts so frozen.

The Bridegroom is ready to receive His Bride;
She walks up the aisle to stand by His Side.
The Book of Life is read and after all is said
With His arms open wide
He encloses her inside
And holds her to His Heart
Never evermore to part.

Off we go together, Hand in hand,
Thy Kingdom come,
THY WILL.....has been.....done.

© Mel Patterson, 7-24-06

" Soul Blessing "


My soul longs to be united with Thee;
Like a magnet Thou dost draw it near.
Lord, upon Thy strong arm, I rest;
Thou dost wipe away my every tear.

As I rest my head against Thy Heart
And hear it throbbing for love of me.
There is joy as I gaze into Thy eyes;
My own heart throbs for love of Thee.

With spiritual eyes my soul delights
In the rapture of Thy beautiful Face.
Grant that I may ever be Thine;
Bless my soul with Thy Spirit and Grace.

In that final hour Thou wilt bid me "Come,"
My soul to exalt in Thy Presence.
Thou will take my hand and lead me Home
Where I'll ever behold Thy Holy Essence.


© Mel Patterson, July 7, 2006

" WE ARE HERE - LIKE THE SEASONS "

Today's Praise is based upon Seasons
God created them for many reasons
Their beauties for us to enjoy
While meditating upon changes we employ.

~ We are here -- like the seasons ~

Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall
God, our Father, made them all.
Changes unfold before our eyes;
Visualize ! Visualize !

Joy in the Spring with buds unfolding
Each one has a seed God is molding.
Changes unfold before our eyes;
Visualize ! Visualize !

Summer sun and thunderclaps
Lightening, rain - everyone adapts;
Changes unfold before our eyes;
Visualize ! Visualize !

Leaves of Red, russet, yellow and gold
Phenomenal colors, a Season to behold,
Changes unfold before our eyes;
Visualize ! Visualize !

Snowflakes, snowmen, ice and chill
Chopping wood, fireplaces to fill,
Changes unfold before our eyes;
Visualize ! Visualize !


Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall
God, our Father, made them all.
In every Season,
Let us hear His Call.
PRAISE GOD and GLORY in His LAW !
Changes unfold before our eyes;
Visualize ! Visualize !

PRAISE GOD and GLORY in His LAW !
PRAISE GOD and GLORY in His LAW !
PRAISE GOD and GLORY in His LAW !


© Mel Patterson 6-24-06

" LORD, YOU ARE A CONSTANT in our LIVES "

PRAISE YOU, LORD, and THANK YOU !!!
To our ROCK and our SALVATION be GLORY given !!!

O Lord, you are a constant in our lives;
You never leave us nor forsake us.
Even when we are not thinking of you,
You are always thinking of us.

O Lord, you are a constant in our lives;
You forgive our sins when we are sorry.
You mercifully and patiently wait for us
To, little by little, draw closer to you.

O Lord, you are a constant in our lives;
You give us gifts we do not deserve.
You lay lush lands before us,
Flowers of the field,
Trees whose branches praise you.

Lord, you are a constant in our lives;
We look upon the undulating streams, rivers,
Seas and oceans which obey your every command.
Their ebbs and flows come and go.
So do our lives.

Lord, you are a constant in our lives;
You have made the Way in which we may journey
Back to you, who first dreamed of us, each one.
Thank you, Lord, for your constancy.

Lord, you are a constant in our lives;
When all else fails us, You NEVER fail us.

PRAISE YOU, LORD, and THANK YOU !!!
To our ROCK and our SALVATION be GLORY given !!!
© Mel Patterson 6-24-06

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to GOD, OUR FATHER !!!
June 18, 2006

It is PRAISE Time !!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to GOD, OUR FATHER !!!


Glorious Abba, El Shaddai, God our Father,
You are all splendor and magnificence.
You are THE FATHER above all Fathers;
In YOU all Holiness and Divinity are encompassed.

You are The Father of Lights and the first
light obeyed your command.
You cause the moon and the stars to dot the night skies.
The sun dawns upon a new day and the earth
and its' inhabitants enjoy your Creativity.

Rain and dew, snow and ice alight upon the
world, each in due Season.
At your word the mountains and the deserts exist.
Father, you call each of us by name.
By your loving command we came to be.

Through the ages you are Father to all.
Your Son, begotten, not made, one in being
with you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
rules and reigns forever and ever.

Father, thank you for the privilege of being
called sons and daughters of God.
We are grateful and we PRAISE YOU, Father.

TO YOU BE ALL HONOR AND GLORY
FOREVER AND EVER.
AMEN © Mel Patterson, 6-18-06

HOLY SPIRIT, our CHOICE is to REJOICE !!!

When my soul is weary from the strife of life
And it seems an awful burden I bear
Always within my spirit I hear Your Voice
Whispering to me that I have the choice
To either curse the darkness or in You rejoice !!!

HOLY SPIRIT, our CHOICE is to REJOICE !!!

Rejoice in the God of our Fathers,
Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Jacob, and all the rest,
Because of our Father and God
we are forever blest.
Be strong and valiant;
never put Him to the test
As we listen to His Holy Spirit
ever trying to do our best.

HOLY SPIRIT, our CHOICE is to REJOICE !!!

In humble submission to Your Holy Will
Even when we sin, you LOVE us still...
We lay prostrate before Your Feet;
O for the day when Face-to-face we'll meet
With Joy-filled Hope we pray
For that GRAND and GLORIOUS DAY !

HOLY SPIRIT, our CHOICE is to REJOICE !!!
Let us PRAISE YOU in GRAND VOICE,
" YOU, O LORD, ARE our CHOICE !!!
(c) Mel Patterson 6-13-06

It is PRAISE Time !!!

To GOD be ALL PRAISE, HONOR and GLORY
Forever and Ever !!!

Land, sea, stars and sky, all under His watchful eye
Nothing is done of which He does not know;
There is no secret, no act, no deed unseen
No matter where we go or have ever been
That God will not and cannot forgive sin
When we humbly come before Him
Begging His forgiveness with true remorse ~
He does forgive and forget the sin, of course.

To GOD be ALL PRAISE, HONOR and GLORY
Forever and Ever !!!

How compassionate is this God of ours
To provide the Way, the Truth, and the Life
That the blind may see and the deaf may hear
The lame may walk and the mute may talk ;
The ill may be healed and Salvation won,
The lost may be found;
How profound!
Gone forever will be the shackles of our past
For on the day we hear the mighty trumpet blast
We'll know we are reaching Heav'n at long last!

To GOD be ALL PRAISE, HONOR and GLORY
Forever and Ever !!!

(c) Mel Patterson 6-14-06

" TREES PRAISE GOD "

(remembering our trip to Jim Thorpe, PA)

FATHER, how beautiful are your CREATIONS !!!
We see YOU in YOUR HANDIWORKS.

We traveled to a place so lovely, so divine
that my heart was lifted to a place sublime,
Hills and dales, glens and mountains
strewn with dancing trees
swaying in the breeze;
Lifting their branches
high in the sky
Waving praises to God.

Cruising the highways enjoying nature's beauty
Trees atop the mountain were level except one cutey,
which seemed to shout out loud, "Here I am!
Look at me. See?
I am up here and taller than the rest."
The sight of this tree brought us joy-filled glee
As we drank in the view
with sky so blue
And marsh-mellow clouds floating by.

The trees in shades of green spectacular
seemed to have their own personality and venacular
Sage, Spruce, Silver, Blue, Kelly, and Forest ~
God painted an extraordinary view
in
Greens of every color and hue.
We saw their age and their youth,
strong and sturdy,
tired and worn or young and thriving
while we were driving
A sight to behold,
like gold.

FATHER, how beautiful are your CREATIONS !!!
We see YOU in YOUR HANDIWORKS.

© Mel Patterson 5-22-06

" I WALKED in the PARK "


I walked in the park today rather briskly
and to my delight within my sight
were flowers of many colors to please my eye.
There were vibrant purple pansies,
Bright yellow ones too,
White ones with purple centers
and orange ones with a brown hue.

I walked in the park today rather briskly
And to my delight within my sight
Were red-breasted robins
and a cardinal dressed in red
showing off the tuft on his head.
I heard them singing so sweetly
It seemed they were there to greet me,
And I smiled and PRAISED GOD.

I walked in the park today rather briskly
And to my delight within my sight
I saw a skittering, chittering brown squirrel
Chasing his buddy up and down the tree.
What a funny entertaining sight to see.
Then I saw a hippity brown hare
Hopping swiftly out of sight behind a bright
colored tree afraid that I would scare
him........I wouldn't dare.

I walked in the park today rather briskly
And to my delight within my sight
came down the rain, drip by drip,
drop by drop and I laughed for it cooled me.
I was becoming very warm from the brisk stroll
And I was cooled. Smiling from ear to ear,
I finally reluctantly entered my car
for the drive home and I THANKED GOD
and PRAISED GOD for the blessing this day.

Windshield wipers were on high
And I felt high
on GOD !!!

I marveled at the beauty God creates.
Each one an extension of Himself.
His Handiwork is good.

He fashioned us, each and every one,
in His Own Image.

© Mel Patterson, 5-20-06

" HOW DO WE..? "

How do we see you, Lord?

We see you in a blade of grass
We see you in the petal of a flower
We see you in a loved one's face
We see you in the rain's shower.

How do we hear you, Lord?

We hear you in the soul's silence,
We hear you in a bird's song.
We hear you in the thunder above
We hear you in sounds, weak and strong.

How do we taste you, Lord?

We taste you in unleavened bread;
We taste you in Communion.
We taste you in the grain of wheat,
We taste the Blessing of our union.

How do we touch you, Lord?

We touch you when we hug a child;
We touch you helping those in need.
We touch you in clothing the naked
We touch you selflessly in every good deed.

How do we savor your fragrance, Lord?

We savor your Purity and Holiness;
We savor your Sacredness and Divinity.
We savor your sanguine incense
We savor your Majestic Trinity.

© Mel Patterson 5-11-06

" YOU COLOR OUR WORLD "

O LORD our GOD you Color our World;
PRAISE YOU NOW AND FOREVERMORE !!!

You color our world with everlasting Love,
Every good gift is from your gracious hand.
We THANK you and PRAISE you, O Lord our God;
All the earth is peopled at your command.

You color our world with blessed Hope,
Every good gift is from your gracious hand.
We thank you and praise you, O Lord our God;
Together in PRAISES and THANKSGIVINGS we band.

You color our world with fidelity and faith,
Every good gift is from your gracious hand.
We march in tandem with you, risen Christ Jesus,
'Til you lead us to your HEAVENLY ETERNAL LAND.

O LORD our GOD you Color our World;
PRAISE YOU NOW AND FOREVERMORE !!!

© Mel Patterson 5-11-06

" Master, you consume..."

Master, you consume my soul.
My thoughts are taken up with you;
To be with you forever is my utmost goal,
Show me what you would have me do.

Master, you consume my heart;
I long for you night and day.
Tell me we shall never be apart;
Keep me close as I kneel to pray.

Master, you consume my spirit
I desire to be where you dwell
Boldly I pray never to fear it
For your sweet love I cannot quell.

Master, you consume my all
As I spiral upward toward you
Grant that I may always hear you call
And come running when you do.

With your arms open wide
Enfold me in the shelter of your embrace
Nevermore in sin shall I hide
But ever behold your radiant Face.

© Mel Patterson, 5-6-06